The support provided by Polish municipalities in the implementation of family assitance
The support provided by Polish municipalities in the implementation of family assitance

Summary/Abstract: The Act on Family Support and Foster Care System was introduced in Poland ten years ago. Accordingly, this seems to be the right time for an assessment of the level of organisation and funding of social services in terms of supporting families with a child by Polish municipalities. This article aims to depict the development process of family assitance in Polish municipalities. Empirical research focuses on the opinions of family assistants regarding the support provided by gmina authorities and the management of organisational units of social assistance where they are employed. The results of the research showed that family assitance in the form of a supportive and educational activity, with a high organisational level and good working conditions – as outlined by the original concept – is implemented only in some areas. The care and control approach to work, together with functional assistantship based on simple activities meeting the basic needs of families, are increasingly enforced on family assistants by the management. The aspirations of assistants – who form a professional community – to apply the therapeutic dimension of assistantship are being squandered. The Polish municipalities lack sufficient funds to employ adequate numbers of family assistants.

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